How to Correct Former Churches?

[Steven Yeadon]

I have been at many churches in the last 4.5 years. I started as a Moderate Baptist and Charismatic having come to faith in the biblical Jesus Christ. I started at a southern Baptist church 4.5 years ago as a Christian and came a long way since then.

I have found one church at last that rejects Modernism and contends for the faith of the saints in the bible and history. Through it I have seen there are more. I now see the need for Fundamental Baptist theology, without things like KJVO.

Along the way, I abandoned churches as I figured out their doctrine and teachings. I really want to go back and warn them that the bible condemns their teachings. That they are in deep trouble before the God they claim to worship. That they are leading goats to slaughter and starving the sheep with faulty teachings.

What should be done on my end? I feel I am like a watchman able to warn them. Seems the least I can do. How do I? Through the pastor? Seems foolish to go back to services or Sunday School to just warn them. Seems it would come off wrong and divisive, maybe even get me told to leave.

I appreciate any help with this dilemma.

 

[Salty]

Steve - Just for a clarification - what is your definition of " Fundamental Baptist theology"

Second - as far as going back to the other churches - well, that reminds me of a poster we had
hear a couple years ago - or so. He was constantly sending letters to liberal churches, calling them
and ect. Bottom line - it had not effect - well a positive effect anyways. This young man only had a year
of so of Bible college - and he was trying to deal with minsters with BA's, Masters,ect.

For the most part - I doubt that anything you were to say to them would have any effect.

Just keep them on your prayer list.

 

[Deacon]

The church is a family and their will be disagreements.
One has to learn when to pick a fight and when to walk away from one.

But once you have walked away from your family, it is best to stay away... particularly if you have a gripe with them. You’ll only cause trouble for yourself.

A particularly good church may interview someone leaving to find the reason why they are going, but having already left it’s best to let bygones be bygones.

Rob

 

[John of Japan]

I have been at many churches in the last 4.5 years. I started as a Moderate Baptist and Charismatic having come to faith in the biblical Jesus Christ. I started at a southern Baptist church 4.5 years ago as a Christian and came a long way since then.

I have found one church at last that rejects Modernism and contends for the faith of the saints in the bible and history. Through it I have seen there are more. I now see the need for Fundamental Baptist theology, without things like KJVO.

Along the way, I abandoned churches as I figured out their doctrine and teachings. I really want to go back and warn them that the bible condemns their teachings. That they are in deep trouble before the God they claim to worship. That they are leading goats to slaughter and starving the sheep with faulty teachings.

What should be done on my end? I feel I am like a watchman able to warn them. Seems the least I can do. How do I? Through the pastor? Seems foolish to go back to services or Sunday School to just warn them. Seems it would come off wrong and divisive, maybe even get me told to leave.

I appreciate any help with this dilemma.

You have no responsibility to correct any church you have been to or are going to. Baptist believe in the autonomy of the local church, which means that each church is responsible for itself. God can handle it. If you do go back to your former churches and attempt to correct them, you will be in danger of becoming a heretic--in the Biblical sense, one who causes divisions. You could split churches with that approach.

 

[Yeshua1]

You have no responsibility to correct any church you have been to or are going to. Baptist believe in the autonomy of the local church, which means that each church is responsible for itself. God can handle it. If you do go back to your former churches and attempt to correct them, you will be in danger of becoming a heretic--in the Biblical sense, one who causes divisions. You could split churches with that approach.

Also, some of those former churches, such as the Charismatic ones, might not even be considered to be a true church teaching sound doctrine!

 

[Steven Yeadon]

Steve - Just for a clarification - what is your definition of " Fundamental Baptist theology"

Second - as far as going back to the other churches - well, that reminds me of a poster we had
hear a couple years ago - or so. He was constantly sending letters to liberal churches, calling them
and ect. Bottom line - it had not effect - well a positive effect anyways. This young man only had a year
of so of Bible college - and he was trying to deal with minsters with BA's, Masters,ect.

For the most part - I doubt that anything you were to say to them would have any effect.

Just keep them on your prayer list.

Thank you. In formulating a response, there is a lot to this question. I believe many false teachings have gotten into Baptist churches. One big one is the idea faith does not change us, that we go on wantonly sinning after becoming believers. I have seen far too many people die in church without obedient lives, the pastors who sent such people to Judgment are going to rue the Day. Other increasingly common false teachings include using pop psychology as theology, preaching on "relevant" topics while mostly ignoring the bible, hypercharismaticism, and women as preachers and elders.

 

[Yeshua1]

Thank you. In formulating a response, there is a lot to this question. I believe many false teachings have gotten into Baptist churches. One big one is the idea faith does not change us, that we go on wantonly sinning after becoming believers. I have seen far too many people die in church without obedient lives, the pastors who sent such people to Judgment are going to rue the Day. Other increasingly common false teachings include using pop psychology as theology, preaching on "relevant" topics while mostly ignoring the bible, hypercharismaticism, and women as preachers and elders.

Basically, the Bible is no longer regarded as being the only authoritative source of revelation, as we "need" to make sure stay 'relevant" to culture today!

 

[Steven Yeadon]

Basically, the Bible is no longer regarded as being the only authoritative source of revelation, as we "need" to make sure stay 'relevant" to culture today!

I agree Yeshua, that's part of it.

 

[Yeshua1]

I agree Yeshua, that's part of it.

Under president Obama, many who were undercover came out in the "light", and now the same will be embolden to come out again!

 

[Reynolds]

I have been at many churches in the last 4.5 years. I started as a Moderate Baptist and Charismatic having come to faith in the biblical Jesus Christ. I started at a southern Baptist church 4.5 years ago as a Christian and came a long way since then.

I have found one church at last that rejects Modernism and contends for the faith of the saints in the bible and history. Through it I have seen there are more. I now see the need for Fundamental Baptist theology, without things like KJVO.

Along the way, I abandoned churches as I figured out their doctrine and teachings. I really want to go back and warn them that the bible condemns their teachings. That they are in deep trouble before the God they claim to worship. That they are leading goats to slaughter and starving the sheep with faulty teachings.

What should be done on my end? I feel I am like a watchman able to warn them. Seems the least I can do. How do I? Through the pastor? Seems foolish to go back to services or Sunday School to just warn them. Seems it would come off wrong and divisive, maybe even get me told to leave.

I appreciate any help with this dilemma.

If you don't go there anymore, it's no longer any of your business.

 

[Jerome]

I have been at many churches in the last 4.5 years...I started at a southern Baptist church 4.5 years ago as a Christian and came a long way since then

Along the way, I abandoned churches as I figured out their doctrine and teachings.

I have found one church at last...Fundamental Baptist

I'd suggest you spend some time figuring out errors your current church is teaching and try to correct them.
Yeah, let us know how that goes.

 

[Steven Yeadon]

I'd suggest you spend some time figuring out errors your current church is teaching and try to correct them.
Yeah, let us know how that goes.

Well, we are talking about what doctrinal disagreements to allow. Some are Calvinist and some Arminians at my current church. We base the mingling on the fact we cannot conclusively show one or the other side right or wrong from scripture alone. Before now, it was hard to find those that didn't fail basic tests of doctrine based on a plain reading of the text.

 

[tyndale1946]

Well, we are talking about what doctrinal disagreements to allow. Some are Calvinist and some Arminians at my current church. We base the mingling on the fact we cannot conclusively show one or the other side right or wrong from scripture alone. Before now, it was hard to find those that didn't fail basic tests of doctrine based on a plain reading of the text.

Its interesting you brought this up... I was just reading something from a good friend of mine, that has been a preacher over 60 years, Elder Joe Holder... I can also tell you, you are a young man and haven't been around churches as much of some of us have and as the saying goes, you are barking up the wrong tree... Steven have you corrected anyone on here because they had a doctrinal disagreement with you?... And you are thinking of correcting a church, you disagree so much on, start your own... The following is an excerpt from the beginning article he just wrote recently... Brother Glen

Any man who has been a pastor for long has encountered that well-meaning member who thinks he/she has an exclusive link to heaven and absolute truth, so their idea or opinion must rule, or else. And, for the believer with that mindset, “Or else” always ends with a spiritual tragedy of one kind or another. I often remind readers of a basic New Testament teaching regarding the Lord’s church. In 1 Timothy 3:15, Paul reminds Timothy, and us, that the church, not any one individual in the church, is the Lord’s “pillar and ground of the truth.” Churches can make mistakes, no question. But, given this passage, and often confirmed by personal observation, I’ll trust a church’s judgment any day over one individual’s bullying attitude. Individual believers err far more often than churches.

 

[Steven Yeadon]

Its interesting you brought this up... I was just reading something from a good friend of mine, that has been a preacher over 60 years, Elder Joe Holder... I can also tell you, you are a young man and haven't been around churches as much of some of us have and as the saying goes, you are barking up the wrong tree... Steven have you corrected anyone on here because they had a doctrinal disagreement with you?... And you are thinking of correcting a church, you disagree so much on, start your own... The following is an excerpt from the beginning article he just wrote recently... Brother Glen

Any man who has been a pastor for long has encountered that well-meaning member who thinks he/she has an exclusive link to heaven and absolute truth, so their idea or opinion must rule, or else. And, for the believer with that mindset, “Or else” always ends with a spiritual tragedy of one kind or another. I often remind readers of a basic New Testament teaching regarding the Lord’s church. In 1 Timothy 3:15, Paul reminds Timothy, and us, that the church, not any one individual in the church, is the Lord’s “pillar and ground of the truth.” Churches can make mistakes, no question. But, given this passage, and often confirmed by personal observation, I’ll trust a church’s judgment any day over one individual’s bullying attitude. Individual believers err far more often than churches.

I do feel the need to take stands at times here on this forum. Particularly on the issues I cited to Salty. I will tell the truth, I feel like a rodent hiding out of sight, when I hear errant doctrine and don't mention something. The LORD knows I think some as false teachers or false prophets in my heart.

I am asking a bigger question I now see. What do faithful churches do in respect to unbiblical ones?